Faculty Profile for Dr. Tom Ptak

Biography Section

Biography and Education

2016 PhD, Department of Geography, University of Oregon
Dissertation—Understanding Hydropower in China, Balancing Energy
Security, Development and Environmental Sustainability in the Nu River
Valley of Yunnan Province

2010 M.A, Department of Geography, University of Oregon

2007 B.Sc. Hons, Macquarie University, Sydney

2006 B.Sc., Macquarie University, Sydney

Teaching Interests

My teaching philosophy is focused on advancing critical, engaged pedagogy and empirical, problem-based approaches to understanding and solving questions, many of which are geographic in nature. While in the classroom or out in the field, I am an advocate of Sir Ken Robinson’s view of “divergent thinking,” the idea that multiple answers exist for individual questions. This idea is often a perfect framework for geography as it allows students to develop their own understanding of the messy complex world in which we live.
Through my experiences in classrooms and other learning environments, I advocate for the approach described as “desirable difficulties.” While at times some students have difficulty understanding the value of this approach, many others develop skills supporting the deep processing of course materials and enhance learning abilities longer term.

Research Interests

Professionally, I am a broadly trained geographer and social scientist whose scholarship critically investigates human-environment centered phenomena, policies and practices shaped by contemporary energy transitions. My work is driven by a strong desire to help solve some of the worlds most pressing challenges linked to energy use, human society and our environment. These include–but are not limited to–energy landscapes, transitions and policies, access and exploitation of resources, water, food & energy security plus human-induced climate change. Through my scholarship, I aim to help make the world a more equitable, less degraded, peaceful and sustainable place for all inhabitants.